The Australian Christian Lobby said it was not acceptable for the debate around surrogacy to invoke abusive language by groups such as the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group.

Tasmanian State Director Mark Brown said the gay lobby group’s comments to those who opposed surrogacy for same-sex couples as “pure and unadulterated, homophobic prejudice” sought to intimidate people out of voicing their concerns for children.

“While the Australian Christian Lobby believes surrogacy for same-sex couples and singles is wrong, because it denies the child to start life with a mother and father, the comments aimed at those who opposed altruistic surrogacy for same-sex couples, in this case the Liberal party, were out of line,” he said.

“There has to be room in our public discourse for those who believe in marriage and family to have the freedom to speak and contribute without immediately being intimidated by abusive language.

“Nobody can enter this debate from a perspective of marriage and family without being hit over the head with abusive language and this is totally inappropriate.

“Not even the Prime Minister has been immune from accusations of homophobia when Liberal MP and gay rights advocate Warren Entsch rejected her speech criticising the Greens for not sharing the values of average Australians when it comes to family. Mr Entsch reportedly said it would leave her open to the suspicion she was homophobic.

“There has to be room in our public discourse for those who believe in marriage and family to have the freedom to speak and contribute without immediately being intimidated by abusive language,” he said.